
TRT Podcast #199: How to address the needs of advanced readers – with Dr. Nancy Young
Dr. Nancy Young, creator of The Ladder of Reading & Writing infographic, explains why we need to challenge students who are advanced in reading and why research does not support the notion that they will be “just fine” regardless of their instruction. This is an important issue that deserves more attention.
Listen to the episode here
Full episode transcript
Dr. Young’s resources
- The Ladder of Reading & Writing infographic
- Climbing the Ladder of Reading & Writing: Meeting the Needs of ALL Learners book co-edited with Jan Hasbrouck
- Giftedness resources from Dr. Young’s website
Additional resources mentioned in this episode
- The National Association for Gifted Children
- The Acceleration Institute
- Failing Our Brightest Kids: The Global Challenge of Educating High-Ability Students book by Chester Finn, Jr. and Brandon Wright
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Jessica Kulynych
I found this episode very frustrating because so many dyslexic kids are also very advanced with superior cognitive abilities. On the other hand, learning to read easily is not necessarily an indicator of superior cognitive ability. So once again, the guest is perpetuating the myth that ease of reading equals advanced academic ability/potential. What is appropriate instruction for a dyslexic child with a 130 IQ? They need intensive reading instruction but they also are capable of and need academic acceleration. 2E children need to be grouped with other cognitively advanced students. The language of “way ahead” and “way behind” is devastating for these children.